News Details

Governor Corbett Signs Budget Continuing Investments in “Healthy PA”

​News for Immediate Release

July 11, 2014

Harrisburg – Governor Tom
Corbett signed into law the 2014-15 state budget that invests more than $12.8 billion in total funds for health and human
services programs that will help to increase access to quality, affordable
healthcare.

In addition to advancing the
governor’s Healthy Pennsylvania plan, the budget preserves the safety
net for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, seniors,
children and low-income families.

“This
reflects the importance we place on the health and well-being of all
Pennsylvanians,” Corbett said. “Above all else, we must ensure services for
those who need them most. This budget maintains that purpose, while
making strategic invests that will increase access and affordability for all
Pennsylvanians.”

The budget assumes federal
approval of the Healthy Pennsylvania plan to reform Medicaid and
increase access to health care for more than 500,000 Pennsylvanians through the
private market.

The budget also invests in
resources to serve more individuals who have been waiting to access needed
services, allowing them to stay in their homes and communities, and it supports
the infrastructure and practitioners needed to expand access to primary care
services in rural and underserved areas.

“This budget
is a testament to Governor Corbett’s dedication to the people of Pennsylvania,”
Secretary of Public Welfare Beverly Mackereth said. “His unwavering commitment
to our most vulnerable citizens, as well as his desire to obtain sustainable
health care options for all Pennsylvanians is truly exemplified in the budget
he worked so hard to deliver.”

Health and human services
investments in the signed budget include:

Reforming Pennsylvania’s
Medicaid Program: Accounts for$125 million in savings from the
implementation of reforms to the Medicaid program and the implementation of the
Private Coverage Option within the Healthy Pennsylvania Medicaid waiver;
assumes approval of the waiver by the federal government.

Increasing Support for
Community Health Centers and Health Care Clinics: Increases last year’s
investment in the Department of Health’s Community-Based Healthcare Subsidy
Program by $2 million, providing $6 million to Pennsylvania’s community-based
healthcare clinics.

Expanding Access to Primary
Care Services in Rural and Underserved Areas of Pennsylvania:
Increase of $1 million for loan repayment assurance to health care
practitioners working in primary care in rural and underserved areas. Also
provides funding for new residency slots for medical school graduates who are
legal Pennsylvania residents, or who have completed their medical school
education in Pennsylvania and who commit to providing primary care in a rural
Pennsylvania community upon completion of residency training, to help address
the growing primary care shortage in our rural areas.

Expanding Services for Older
Pennsylvanians and Individuals with Physical Disabilities: Increase of
$27.8 million in General and Lottery funds to serve:

An additional 1,764
older Pennsylvanians through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Aging
Waiver ($11.6 million);

An additional 204
individuals who transfer from the Department of Public Welfare's Attendant
Care Program at age 60 ($1.4 million); and

An additional 1,599
individuals with physical disabilities in community settings ($9 million).

Expanding Services for Individuals
with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism: Additional $13.1 million to
provide home and community-based options for:

700 young adults who are
graduating from the special education system to continue to live
independently in the community;

400 individuals who are
on the emergency waiting list to access crucial services to keep them in
their homes and communities; and

100 adults with autism
spectrum disorders.

Moving Individuals from
Institutional Care to Community-based
Care: An additional $2.8 million to increase community placement for
individuals currently in state mental hospitals and state intellectual
disability facilities, enabling the transition of 90 clients from state mental
hospitals to progressive mental health treatment in home-like settings and 50
clients from state intellectual disability facilities to home and
community-based settings.

Domestic Violence and Rape
Crisis: Increase of $2.2 million for services dedicated to victims of
sexual and domestic violence.

Child Care Assistance: Increase
of $15 million in federal funds to allow an additional 2,895 children currently
waiting for services to receive child care assistance.

Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP): Increase of$9 million to continue support of the
Children’s Health Insurance Program, assisting in the Healthy Pennsylvania
goal of insuring all kids in Pennsylvania.

Child Advocacy Centers: $2
million for the support and expansion of Child Advocacy Centers in
Pennsylvania, supporting a recommendation from the Task Force on Child
Protection.